The occupied Palestinian territory (oPt) department has operated since the establishment of Physicians for Human Rights-Israel (PHR) to represent patients and medical personnel whose access to hospitals is denied by the Israeli Security Apparatus and the Army. The department takes action against road blocks set inside the occupied Palestinian territory, the separation barrier and other restrictive measures which place physical and bureaucratic barriers between individuals and access to medical care. As a matter of principle, PHR-Israel believes that Israel must recognize its obligations as occupier, to provide medical treatment to the people in the occupied Palestinian territory and enable them free access in this regard; especially in situations where the Palestinian health-care system cannot provide the appropriate medical treatment.

In addition, PHR-Israel labors to stop strikes on civilian infrastructure and on human beings during army operations. We call for an end to the occupation, in light of our view that the occupation is in and of itself a violation of human rights and the source of serious human rights abuses, among them the right to health, the right to freedom of movement, the right to security and freedom from violence.